Combined water pistol and target device



Nov. 11, 1969 F. H. DJEDDA COMBINED WATER PISTOL AND TARGET DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 4, 1967 INVENTOR @042 /7. Exam Array/05;

Nov. 11, 1969 F. H. DJEDDA COMBINED WATER PISTOL AND TARGET DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheef 2 Filed Dec. 4, 1967 INVENTOR.

Arm/605% United States Patent 3,477,723 COMBINED WATER PISTOL AND TARGET DEVICE Fouad H. Djedda, Riverdale, N.Y., assignor to Jedso Industries, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Substituted for abandoned application Ser. No. 384,828, July 24, 1964. This application Dec. 4, 1967, Ser. No.

Int. Cl. A63h 29/14, 33/00 U.S. Cl. 273-101 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to an amusement device. More particularly it relates to an amusement device in the form of a waterpistol and target assembly.

Water pistols currently on the market require constant reloading because the person using the pistol aims at an external target. The water, which is ordinarily stored in side a hollow portion of the pistol, is shot outwardly, after several shots have been fired, the pistol is empty. Thus the enjoyment of this toy is always being interrupted by the necessity of reloading the pistol. Quite often, also, a child will quickly lose interest in playing with this toy because he lacks suitable or interesting targets to aim at. In other Words the toy provides no challenge or amusement in itself, these must be supplied by the childs own imagination. Furthermore, since the water is shot out into the surroundings, these water pistols must usually be used out-of-doors because of the danger of Water damaging the furnishings inside the home.

One object of this invention is to provide an inexpensive water pistol and target assembly. Another object is to provide a water pistol assembly having a simple and amusing moving target. A further object is to provide a water pistol assembly in which the water is captive within a completely enclosed unit. Another object is to provide a water pistol assembly in which only one loading step is required. n

The aforementioned and other objects will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings depicting the preferred embodiment of this invention, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation, partly broken away, of the water pistol and target assembly embodying my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial section of the assembly taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a detailed section of the target housing taken along line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an elevation of the water pistol and target assembly embodying another feature of my invention;

FIGURE 5 is a partial sectional view in plan of the assembly taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 4, with alternate positions of the water pistol shown in phantom;

FIGURE 6 is a detailed view of the pistol swivel mechanism partly in section taken along line 66 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a detailed section of a target taken along line 7-7 of FIGURE 5.

The amusement device of this invention as shown in the drawings consists generally of a target housing 10 having transparent walls, preferably in the shape of a sphere, and a water-pistol 11 which is in water-right engagement therewith. This engagement permits leak-proof passages for the flow of water back and forth between the pistol and the target housing.

The pistol may be any one of the known commercial pistols in present use. Typically such a pistol is composed of a hollow upper body 12 and handle 13 for containing the water, with an opening 14 in the rear of the body for filling the pistol; a trigger mechanism consisting of a trigger 15, a piston 16 and a cylinder 17 for pumping the water; and a barrel tube 18 and a nozzle 19 for discharging the water from the pistol. An open dip-leg 20 extends upwardly from the bottom of the pistol handle 13 into the trigger cylinder 17 and provides a passage for the water into the trigger mechanism.

The barrel tube 18 is a right-angle tube which extends vertically downward into the handle, terminating in the trigger cylinder 17 and extends horizontally along the upper body portion, terminating in the nozzle 19. The nozzle is received into the housing 10 through an opening 21 at an oblique angle to the central axis of the housing, as shown in FIGURE 2, and is directed at a rotatable target assembly, mounted within the housing. The housing and the upper body of the pistol are rigidly secured together circumferentially about the opening 21 in a watertight connection.

The target assembly consists of a vertical shaft 22 held in a small cup 23 fixed at the top of the housing and in an elongated sleeve 24 fixed at the base of the housing. Approximately at the center of the shaft, or slightly below the center is a rotatable circular platform 25 riding on the upper or bearing surface 26 of the sleeve. As seen more clearly in FIGURE 2, the platform consists of a hub 27 centered about the shaft in contact with the bearing surface 26 of the sleeve, an outer rim 28 and one or more spokes 29 connecting the hub and the rim. The spokes have securely mounted upon them silhouetted figure 30 each of which are provided with water-impinging surfaces. In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, the figures have fiat surfaces and hence the entire surface of each figure is a water-impinging surface. A ring 31 fastened to the shaft slightly above the platform prevents excessive lift-otf of the platform from the sleeve occasioned by the rotation. The median plane of the target figures is thus maintained at the level of the pistol nozzle.

As an alternative to the target arrangement as shown, the platform may be fastened directly to the shaft which can be adapted to rotate as a spindle. The spindle would require tapered ends and two bearings at each end secured to the housing in place of the cup and the sleeve.

Near the bottom of the housing is a second opening 32 for draining off the water shot into the housing. A water-return tube 33 extends from the drain opening to an inlet opening 34 in the pistol handle, the ends of the tube being secured to the housing and. to the pistol at these openings with Water-tight connections. This tube provides a leak-proof passage for the flow of water from the housing to the pistol. The opening 32 in the housing must be on a horizontally higher plane than the inlet opening 34 in the pistol handles enabling the water to drain properly.

The pistol is initially filled with water by pouring it through the opening 14 and a leak-tight cap 35 is inserted therethrough. When it is desired to operate the device, the water is pumped through the pistol by repeatedly depressing and releasing the trigger. The corresponding movements of the piston 16 inside the cylinder 17 create in effect, a suction pumping force. This pumping force draws water up through the dip-leg 20 and into the cylinder 17 and then through the barrel tube 18. The water is forced out through the nozzle 19 into the target housing in a series of spurts. The arrows in FIGURE 1 indicate the direction of water fiow through the barrel tube and the nozzle. The Water spray or stream impinges upon the target surfaces and causes the targets and the platform to rotate on the bearing surface of the sleeve in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIGURE 2. The spent water returns to the pistol through the return line 33.

The targets should be arranged so that a target surface is always in the path of the stream. The pistol, as illustrated in FIGURES l and 2, is stationary with respect to the housing. If the target figures are improperly positioned, an impasse can occur wherein the water fails to strike a target surface and rotation will not occur. The target arrangement of FIGURE 2 is satisfactory, although any number of targets of varying sizes and shapes may be utilized. The angle between the nozzle and the axis of the target housing should vary in accordance with the shape of the FIGURE to obtain satisfactory rotation. Speed of rotation is also affected by the degree of smoothness between the bearing surfaces of the hub and sleeve, the weight-to-surface area ratio of the target figures and the force with which the water is fired at the targets.

This water pistol and target assembly provides an amusing toy without the danger of spilling water or without the necessity of continually refilling the pistol. It is safe enough to permit children to enjoy it without constant supervision. Since the assembly is completely sealed and leak-proof, the quantity of water inside the pistol remains constant. Accidental overturning of the device may occur without damage or without spilling the water. The assembly is a single unit which may be operated on a table or other flat surface. A base 11a is provided for the target housing to stabilize the assembly during use.

Other features of my invention are illustrated in FIG- URES 4, 5, 6 and 7. In this modification, the pistol may be adapted to move for the purpose of aiming. The same type of pistol as described heretofore is used, except that the nozzle 36 in this case is a straight extension of the barrel instead of angled. A flexible stopper 37, such as a rubber stopper, is fitted into the opening 21 in the housing and provides a circumferentially water-tight seal. The stopper contains a passage 37 through which the nozzle extends into the housing. There is thus provided a watertight yet resilient fitting between the pistol and the housmg.

Unlike the rigid pistol-housing attachment shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the pistol in this variation is adapted to swivel through a limited horizontal arc of about 30 to 45, as shown in FIGURE 5. Attached to the pistol are swivel members 38 which extend laterally from the front part of the pistol body on either side. The forward edges of the swivel members abut the wall of the housing and are similarly curved so as to slide thereabout. The edges have recesses 39 to accommodate any portion of the stopper which may extend outside the opening. These members are each movably carried within two channels 40 formed by supporting members 41 fastened to the target housing on either side of the opening 21 as shown in FIGURE 6. These supporting members extend out from the wall of the housing so as to hold the pistol in a relatively stationary position when not in use or when being fired. The members may be tapered near the opening to accommodate the body portion of the pistol thereby allowing the swivel movement to obtain the maximum are possible. The combined cooperation between this sliding movement and the resiliency of the stopper 37 enables the pistol to be moved and aimed without disengagement thereof from the housing.

The target housing 10, while outwardly similar to the housing described above, in the first embodiment variation, is filled approximately to the mid-line with water. An opening 42 for draining off excess water is situated at the water level. When water is shot into the housing, it

overflows into the drain opening and returns to the pistol through a flexible downwardly-inclined water-return tube 33. By this means the level of the targets is always the same as that of the pistol nozzle.

The targets 43 in my alternate embodiment are floating objects which may travel around the entire surface of the water within the housing. The course of the targets therewithin is completely random. This creates a more challenging toy because the child may now move the pistol and aim at a moving target.

The floating targets 43 are preferably .hollow figures, but they may also be solid, thin silhouettes, if desired. The design of the figures allow them to float completely above the surface of the water. In FIGURE 7, a weight 44 is placed at the base of the figure as a balance. The weight permits the figure to capsize momentarily upon being struck by the stream of water shot from the pistol and enables it thereafter to regain its upright position.

The elements of my device, the pistol, the target, housing and the targets, are preferably made of a light-weight, clear plastic that is safe for children. Polystyrenes, acrylics and similar rigid, transparent substances are satisfactory. They are relatively inexpensive and can be molded to produce a water-tight assembly. The target characters may also be made of a cellulosic fiber, such as paper or cardboard, or of fabric.

The targets for either the rotating platform or for the floating figures can have many varieties of shapes and colors to maintain the interest of the child using the toy. For example, familiar animals, airplanes, boats and the like may be used. As indicated above, the figures may be hollow or silhouettes and have flat, concave or irregular surfaces. The housing may likewise be selected from a variety of shapes, including cylindrical, cubical or domed.

The pistol is essentially a water-propelling instrument the aiming and firing of which may be controlled by the operator. Other liquid propelling or pumping mechanisms are permissible within the scope of my invention. A suitable mechanism may even be in the form of a squeezebulb made of some resilient material, such as rubber, or in form of a syringe. Furthermore, the shape of the pistol mechanism may vary to include, for example, that of a cannon wherein the barrel or nozzle is inclined upwardly, and the path of the shot is an upward arc.

My device admits of other variations than those shown or described herein. It will be understood that these various other modifications may be made on the preferred embodiment herein described without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. In an amusement device, the combination comprising (a) a water-pistol having a reservoir for water, a discharge nozzle, and a trigger means including a pump for propelling water from the reservoir through the discharge nozzle,

(b) a target assembly including (1) a transparent housing having an inlet opening communicating with said discharge nozzle and in water-tight engagement therewith, said discharge nozzle extending into said housing through said inlet opening, and

(2) movable targets having water-impinging surfaces contained within said housing, and

(c) a water-return tube communicating with the housing and with the pistol reservoir and downwardly inclined from the housing for returning water to such reservoir, said combination providing an enclosed water-tight path for the circulation of water through the pistol and the housing, whereby water propelled from the pistol into the housing may impinge on the surfaces of said movable targets causing movement thereof.

2. In an amusement device, the combination comprising (a) a water-pistol having a reservoir for water, a discharge nozzle, and a trigger mechanism for propelling water from the reservoir through the discharge nozzle,

(b) a target assembly including (1) a transparent housing having an inlet opening communicating with the discharge nozzle and in water-tight engagement therewith and (2) a plurality of rotatable targets with waterimpinging surfaces mounted within said housing, and

(c) a water-return means consisting of a tube communicating with the base of the housing and with the pistol reservoir, and downwardly inclined from the housing,

said combination providing an enclosed water-tight path for the circulation of water through the pistol and the housing whereby water propelled "from the pistol into the housing impinges on the surfaces of said rotatable targets causing rotation thereof.

3. In an amusement device, the combination comprising (a) a water-pistol having a reservoir for water, a discharge nozzle, and a trigger, mechanism for propelling water from the reservoir through the discharge nozzle,

(b) a target assembly including (1) a transparent housing having an inlet opening communicating with the discharge nozzle, said discharge nozzle extending into said housing through said inlet opening and (2) rotatable targets mounted within the housing having a supporting shaft, a circular platform rotatably mounted around the shaft, and a plurality of figures secured to said platform having Water-impinging surfaces and (c) a water-return tube communicating with the housing and with the pistol reservoir and downwardly inclined from the housing,

said combination providing an enclosed Water-tight path for the circulation of Water through the pistol and the housing whereby water propelled from the pistol into the housing impinges the surfaces of said targets causing rotation thereof.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the discharge nozzle is in a fixed position relative to said housing and disposed at an oblique angle therewithin in the direction of the water-impinging surfaces.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the discharge nozzle is at approximately the median plane of the water-impinging surfaces.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said transparent housing has water therein at a predetermined level and wherein said movable targets having water-impinging surfaces are adapted to float on the surface of the contained Water, said discharge nozzle is at approximately the median plane of said water-impinging surfaces, and said water-return tube is attached to the housing at approximately the level of the water contained in such housing.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the level of the water within the housing is approximately at the horizontal center of the housing.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein the movable members are hollow bodies having counter-balancing Weights in the base thereof.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein the pistol is adapted to be swivelled with respect to the housing.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the water-tight engagement between the discharge nozzle and the inlet opening is flexible.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the tube communicating between the housing and the pistol reservoir is flexible.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,499,875 7/1924 Rosenheim 273101 X 1,526,341 2/1925 Jeans 273-1 19 2,544,5 94 3/ 1951 Goldfarb 272-31 X 2,759,731 8/ 1956 Quinn 273-10l 2,869,874 1/1959 Berdner 273119 3,117,787 1/1964 Stutzke 273-10l 3,296,735 1/1967 Djedda 272 31 X 3,336,030 8/1967 Martell et al 273-101 3,342,492 9/1967 Barrett 273-101 3,362,713 1/1968 Miller 273-101 X FOREIGN PATENTS 152,015 12/ 1937 Austria.

631,693 1/1962 Italy.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner M. R. PAGE, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

